Friday-another long day!

Deb in the waiting room before all the action 

We've had two long days and are very tired . We enjoyed hearing from number of friends and family via email and phone today. It's so good to hear from home. The mundane events in your life are music to our ears here so far away.

The two most awkward places on earth for me are hospitals and funeral homes. I do not know what to say or do. But, there is a huge ministry of presence in just being there. Do you agree?

We started out with a priority 07:30 am appointment to have Deb's line installed. There was a large room full waiting for procedures. Deb was served by the most gentle and kind team. UAMS must do some kind of testing to get such wonderful staff!

Deb's chemo clinic appointment was at 8:00 clear across campus. We got there about 9:30am.

Hal and Deb

On the way we bumped into our Athens, Ga classmate Hal. He was here for chemo also.

Yesterday it took the Dr and APN some time to construct Deb's unusual dosage of chemo and support drugs . Today the administering nurse almost swooned trying to interpret them and get the order right. First off was huge 200 mg of Dex. Most previously was 20 MG. Deb is wired!

Some chemo had to go before others. Some had to be by themselves. It was complex and occupied about 7.5 hours in clinic to administer. Deb has permanent single port in her chest wall. She had a double port installed in her arm today. So, three ports for a stack of chemo bags!  Then, the two lines from the 24/7 infusion pumps had go be plumbed.

The Bag

The tubing's not long enough for us to be more than 2 feet apart. I have to carry 'the bag' as we call it because it exceeds Deb's load carrying limit. We try not to snatch or hang the tubing. We end up doing pirouettes to get into car or chair so the lines stay oriented correctly. Sort of a chemo ballet, but not very graceful!

Deb with the Bertrams

With the bag hung over her IV tree, Deb made many trips to the Lou. Coming back she passed a couple who recognized her from this blog. They introduced themselves as the Bertrams from Cullman, Al. Welcome classmates!

Peggy examines Deb

Peggy was our excellent APN today and helped Deb a lot. Thanks Peggy!

Deb has been relatively pain free and off the strong pain killers she once was on. The rapidly growing cancer in her sterum has begun to hurt and she was advised to begin pain killers again. She doesn't want to use them but will have too for a while. 

Tomorrow starts it all over again at 8 am.

Blessings all!